Course Access and Course Composition at the Law Department of Freie Universität Berlin
Erasmus students
Erasmus students have a free course choice. We recommend to select courses from our course list for international exchange students.
Erasmus students are not obliged, from the perspective of Freie Universität Berlin, to obtain a certain minimum number of ECTS-credits while studying here.
However, the maximum number of ECTS-credits from law courses taught in foreign languages (other than German) is limited to 30 per semester. That means that you are only allowed to take more than 30 ECTS-credits per term, if those ECTS-credits exceeding 30 in a semester stem from German-taught courses.
We recommend Erasmus students to take courses according to their individual interest and according to the rules set by their home university.
Themis students
Themis students are required to take 30 ECTS-credits worth of courses, including exams, from our (mostly) English-taught course program in International Law and Business Law. Themis courses are made available on our course list for international exchange students under the sub-header "Courses Taught in Foreign Languages at the Law Department". Students in the Themis program may even choose one module up to 6 ECTS-cr which is not a classified Themis course.
However, the maximum number of ECTS-credits from law courses taught in foreign languages (other than German) is limited to 30 per semester. That means that you are only allowed to take more than 30 ECTS-credits per term, if those ECTS-credits exceeding 30 in a semester stem from German-taught courses.
German language courses do not count towards the Themis credit requirement.
Themis students need to attempt exams worth of 30 ECTS-credits seriously, and to pass at least 24 exam credits in order to qualify for the 'Joint Certificate in International and Business Law'.
Overseas students and students from other programs (i.e. DAAD scholars)
Overseas exchange students and students from other programs have a free course choice. We recommend to select courses from our course list for international exchange students.
If you belong to this group, you are not obliged, from the perspective of Freie Universität Berlin, to obtain a certain minimum number of ECTS-credits while studying here.
However, the maximum number of ECTS-credits from law courses taught in foreign languages (other than German) is limited to 30 per semester. That means that you are only allowed to take more than 30 ECTS-credits per term, if those ECTS-credits exceeding 30 in a semester stem from German-taught courses.
We recommend students from this group to take courses according to their individual interest and according to the rules set by their home university or by their scholarship-awarding organization.
Soft skills courses are modules that focus on practical abilities rather than theoretical knowledge, for example mediation, negotiation, drafting of contracts, setting up a business, etc.
These courses are listed in the course catalogue under the heading "Berufsvorbereitung" (in English: Vocational Preparation), module "Schlüsselqualifikation A" or "Schlüsselqualifikation B" (in English: Key Qualification A or B).
Each law student is allowed to take a maximum of two soft skills courses throughout their studies at the Law School of Freie Universität Berlin. This rule also applies to incoming exchange students from partner universities.
Erasmus students:
Unfortunately not. You will be allowed to choose among a large number of law courses.
In addition to that you can take one German language course (level A2 to C1) per semester and courses from the cultural program for incoming exchange students ("Berlin and Germany in a European Perspective") which the FU Incoming Team presents during the orientation days.
Themis students:
Unfortunately not. If you speak German though, you will be allowed to take one German language course (level A2 - C1) in addition to your Themis courses.
Overseas students in Law-to-Law exchange programs:
Unfortunately not. You will be allowed to choose among a large number of law courses.
In addition to that you can take one German language course (level A2 to C1) per semester and courses from the cultural program for incoming exchange students ("Berlin and Germany in a European Perspective") which the FU Incoming Team presents during the orientation days.
Should you not know, if you are a participant of a Law-to-Law or of a university-wide exchange program, please ask the International Office at the Law Department.
Overseas students in university-wide exchange programs and DAAD scholars:
Yes, you are allowed to take courses from all departments and study programs for which you have been enrolled at Freie Universität Berlin. One German language course (level A2 to C1) and courses from the cultural program for incoming exchange students ("Berlin and Germany in a European Perspective") are also open to you.
However, courses from continuing education Master's programs (with tuition) will be excluded.
Should you not know, if you are a participant of a Law-to-Law or of a university-wide exchange program, please ask the International Office at the Law Department.
I have been selected by my home university for doing research. Do I have to take any courses at all?
No. You can work independently in our library and you don't have to take courses.
However, you should keep in mind that we will not be able to provide you with a supervisor and that you won't get ECTS-credits from Freie Universität Berlin for doing research. Please check with your home university, if this will be a problem.
Erasmus students:
Unfortunately not. Please choose courses from your own study program.
Students from other exchange programs (i.e. direct exchange students from university-wide exchange agreements, DAAD scholars):
Yes, you are allowed to take courses from all departments and study programs that you've been enrolled for at Freie Universität Berlin. However, courses from our continuing education Master's programs are available to (fee-paying) Master's students only.